Navy vet Ronnie Bland and the USS New Jersey

Friday, September 28, 2018

Photos courtesy of Kasidee Stahl

At the end of July 2018, Bloomfield Navy veteran Ronald "Ronnie" Bland was gifted with a trip to visit the battleship he served on during the Korean War. The trip was made possible by the fundraising efforts of Bloomfield's NJROTC unit, the Bloomfield American Legion and by his best friend and granddaughter Kasidee Stahl and other family members. Bland, his sweetheart Carolyn and Kasidee flew to New Jersey to see the ship, which is now a maritime museum.

Sailor Ronnie Bland during the Korean War.
(Courtesy K. Stahl )

Bland among the thousands of sailors on the USS New Jersey
(Courtesy K. Stahl)

NJROTC Chief Petty Officer David Hultberg, Bland and LCDR Mike Cluver at the ceremony where Bland was informed he would be traveling to New Jersey to see his ship.
(Courtesy K. Stahl )